Dark Knight Story

Episode14 Swan Knight

　The time is night. Kuroki returns to black fangs.

　Black fangs is a big Warrior group with nearly two hundred members. Therefore, the building which becomes a base is large, too.

　When they go inside, the members are gambling on dice. The dice are made of animal bones and are the same shape as what Kuroki knows.

　As soon as they see That Kuroki came in, they lost interest and gambled.

　The members here don't know who Kuroki is. I told the surviving executives to keep it a secret.

　Kuroki was a newcomer to Black Fangs, and the executives' favorites and the members' perceptions were supposed to be.

　Because it is a favorite of the executive, there is no one involved in Kuroki, it only looks in the distance, and it does not say anything in particular.

　I slip through the members and go to the back.

　"Welcome home, great lord."

Borat and his executives bow to Kuroki as he enters the back room.

Oki Three days have passed since Kuroki came to this country.

The Black Fangs now are dark cults in the face of the Warrior group.

祭 Altars to worship Dark Lord are not available, but they are.

However, only some officers and others became dark religions, and the end was ordinary warriors.

Originally, Black fangs was a criminal organization in the face of the Warrior group.

As a result, there was no resistance for executives to become dark religions.

And Kuroki is the leader of that dark cult.

Normally, a dark priest, chosen from the dark gods, would normally be the leader of the cult.

However, Kuroki had no choice but to be a leader because there was no dark priest.

　"I'm back now. There's no change."

　Kuroki says, looking at the executives' faces.

　With the exception of Borat, executives are afraid of Kuroki.

　Borat seemed happy somewhere.

　That's right, because she has a cute girl.

　The other party is a woman named Lenea who was there.

　She loved Borat, who saved her life.

(Somehow it looks very happy)

　On the other hand, I think that Kuroki of the age that she is not.

　"Yes. Excellency. Some people wonder because the former leader has not been able to show up, but there will be no particular problem."

　Borat reports.

　Gendol, the former leader of the group, is recuperating. The spirit has not yet returned. I'm having nightmares.

　Gendol is supposed to be alive and well for the general members. However, it will not be able to hide it indefinitely.

　Gendol was quite a bad guy.

　Looking at it, there were a lot of human remnants in the basement where Manticore was.

　Gendol used humans as maspree to Manticore.

　It seems to have made the person who did not like the person who did the enemy, the blunder, and the person who did not like it were mercilessly cursed.

　The executives were afraid of him, too, and it seemed to be at their mercy. That doesn't mean that what we've done so far will be none.

　But Kuroki didn't want to punish him.

　In the first place, in the world of man, those who give to Dark Lord are great sinners. In other words, Kuroki is also a sinner.

　I think it's funny that sinners judge sinners, and Kuroki is not in a position to judge anyone.

　It is the same for those who are here.

　"Yes, then I'll rest in my room. And I'm hungry, so I'd like to have a meal."

　Kuroki says that to Borat who seems happy, and goes to the room that the leader was using.

　The rooms on the top floor are quite large and decorated with flowers in some places.

　The reason is to remove the smell of Manticore. Kuroki was fine, but He hated Mealat. As a result, the room became quite fairytale.

(Is it a room that looks good on cute Nut)

　Kuroki sits on a chair alone while thinking about such a thing.

　And, it recalls the thing in the bar which went to collect information.

　"It was like a rumor about the Dark Knight."

　There was a rumor that the hero had been defeated in the bar.

　It was also rumored that dark knights would lead Monsters around the country to attack them.

(Rumors are exaggerated ...)

　Kuroki exhales.

　Kuroki doesn't mean to attack. You don't have to destroy a human being from Modus in the first place.

　At least Kuroki hears that.

　"Kuroki-sama"

　I hear a voice from my feet. When Kuroki looks down, Nut is behind the chair.

　Nut was collecting information at the Temple of Aruena, the center of the Holy Lenaria Republic.

　Apparently, he came back now.

"Kuroki. I've seen the temple."

　Nut tells the temple information he collected.

　The Alrena temple seems to have been built by a dwarf and is pretty solid.

　The security is strict, the knights who report directly to the temple are elite, and the protection of people is strong.

　But the problem is more about the magical shuffles in the temple than the knights.

　The alarm device made by Dwarf can be spotted with a single shot, such as an excellent, half-life magic.

　Even those with excellent stealth abilities, such as Nut, seemed difficult to get into.

　If Kuroki enters such a place, you will surely notice it.

(There must be Reijius in the temple.)

　The Alrena Temple was difficult to infiltrate due to tight security, and Kuroki relied solely on Nut.

　"Thank you for teaching me. It's very helpful.

　Kuroki thanks Nut.

　Nut is best at infiltration and information gathering. He has infiltrated Elios and became a messenger to Modus's friends.

　Kuroki thinks that if Nut wasn't on the way, he wouldn't have been able to reach this place safely.

　You have to thank Modus for making Nut your guide.

　"It looks like it's going to be hard to sneak in."

　"Um ~ Kuroki. Should I just watch? "

　"Certainly the information that Nut brings is useful..."

　Kuroki doesn't think it makes sense to come this far.

　In the first place, Kuroki did not come this far to gather information about their enemies.

　 The information obtained depends on what information is collected.

　 If you gather information with your opponent as an enemy, you will look at the number of troops and the type of equipment.

　Nut might think Kuroki is coming to stop the hero.

　 So, if you have the information for that, Nut will surely bring important information.

　But it's not, Nut doesn't always bring you the information Kuroki wants to know.

　"I'm sorry. I want to know how they are with my eyes."

　Kuroki declines Nut's offer, thinking bad.

　"Is that so..."

　Nut is depressed because he thought he was not trusted.

"Nut has helped me a lot. I just want to sneak in."

OkiKuroki says so and strokes Nut's head.

"Hehehe"

　Nut stroked is happy.

　 If Kuroki and Nut are playing, the door will be knocked.

　"Who is it?"

　"I brought a meal."

　I can hear Renea's voice from behind the door.

　When Kuroki says it's OK to come in, Renea comes in.

　She was scared at first, and now she's in normal contact with Kuroki.

　Renea is a dress that emphasizes the chest as if it were the first time I saw it. Pretty big.

(Well, I envy Borat. If you use your authority as the top of the cult, you can touch it, but as a person, you shouldn't do it.)

　I think Kuroki will try to find that kind of shop next time.

　"What did you do, the great one?"

　Renea looks mysterious.

　"No, it's nothing..."

　Kuroki sees Renea's pushing truck canceling his delusions. There is food on the truck she is pushing.

　The trolley is filled with white bread and drinks, nuts, goat cheese, pig's intestines, chicken, onion and bean soup, and desserts are filled with fruit syrup.

　It's a pretty grand meal. The river was put out yesterday. Fish also eat trout and herring.

　It is said that Gendol, the leader of the group, ate such a rich meal every day.

　Honestly, Kuroki thinks it's a luxury.

"Oh! There's the same fruit pickled in syrup as yesterday!"

　Nut rejoices when he pickles his favorite fruit in syrup.

　Nut was pleased with the syrup pickled fruit yesterday, so he told her to prepare it today.

　Nut is glad as expected. Kuroki is glad to see it.

(But Borat and others may think that dark knights like flowers and sweets ... Well, Nut is so happy ...)

　Nut runs around the floor happily.

"What do you like for a drink? Are you ale?"

　Lenea refers to a vase. The jar contains fermented barley called ale.

　It's like a beer in the original world where Kuroki was.

　However, they do not use hops, but instead use herbs. In addition, we did not cool down because there was not refrigerator. You will probably be dissatisfied with drinking Japanese beer lovers.

　"No, just like yesterday, split goat's milk with fruit water."

　"Yes, the great one"

　Milk is not common in this world, goat milk is common.

　Because of its unique smell, it may be added with herbs or split with fruit water.

　Lenea gets out of the room after dropping food and drinks from the trolley.

"Well, let's eat, Nut"

"Yes, Kuroki-sama-"

　Kuroki takes white bread.

　In this world, there are spoons and knives, but there is no Orc or chopsticks.

　The white bread is swollen. In this world, non-fermented bread is the mainstream, but there are also fermented bread.

　 We tear off white bread and soak in soup and eat.

　Nut eats syrup pickles of fruit deliciously.

"Well, what now?"

　Kuroki thought while eating bread.

　◆

　The Temple of Alrena is located on a hill in the heart of the Republic of St. Renria.

　At the beginning of the country, only the hill and its surroundings were the country. It expanded over the years and became the size of the present.

　Chiyuki waits for the man in one of the temple's rooms. There are also Kyouka and Kaya next door.

　"Would you like to call me?　Mr. Chiyuki."

　When the maid who serves Kyouka opens the door, a knight comes in and bows his head.

　He is a knight who serves this temple.

　In this world where war doesn't take place, knights are like street guards.

　The main task is to protect the walls and the security in them, and to keep the knights safe on the streets outside the walls.

　Monster often appears on the highway, so if you don't get rid of it, there will be no one to pass through the highway.

　It is a larger area than the city, and you have to fight the dangerous Monster. Therefore, it is not possible to serve as a knight if it is possible to ride a horse, and the fighting ability is not high.

　In addition, knights are asked to be loyal to the king and the nation because such a person with high combat ability is not troubled if it is treasoned by the state.

　And in this temple knight of the Holy Lenaria Republic, the object of loyalty is the goddess Alrena.

　The temple knight is sometimes called the Swan Knight after the swan, the holy bird of the goddess Alrena.

　In the first place, the founder of the Holy Lenaria Republic is The Swan Knight Lohen.

　He pledged allegiance to the goddess and dedicated his country to him.

　The knights, who are their successors, pledge allegiance to the goddess and continue to fight day and night to protect people from Monster.

　The man in front of Chiyuki is one of those swan knights.

　"Lord Bowen. Thank you for coming to the place where i am busy with The Peluda measures. Please take your seat."

　When Chiyuki says so, Bowen sits in an empty seat.

　Bowen is the leader of Order of Temple Knights.

　He is fifty-six years old. He is a nobleman in this country, and he has a lot of things to do with his behavior.

　He had his busy coming on the Measures against Peluda.

　There is a large wetland in the central part of the Bandol plain where the Republic of St. Renalia is located, near which Peluda lives.

　Peluda is a beast with a snake-long head, a turtle-like body, and a whole body covered with a hedgehog-like venom needle.

　It is usually quiet, but once every ten years, it sometimes enters the active period. During that time, his appetite became strong and his range of activities expanded. As a result, Monsters are pushed out and sometimes come out to the place where people live.

　For that reason, there are many goblins near this Holy Lenaria Republic.

　Of course, there is also the damage of Peluda himself. Peluda is spewing out flames, burning off crops, crawling livestock and attacking people.

　The knights of the goddess were in motion to protect people from such Peluda.

　Bowen had him come busy with such Peluda measures.

　"No, The Peluda measures are being moved by Shirone and others. I'm taking measures against Monster, which was driven from my habitat by Peluda. But it's calm, so I'm not particularly busy."

　Bowen answers so with a laugh.

　Peluda is a heinous beast that is too much for humans.

　It's also difficult to deal with the Order of Temple Knights in the Holy Lenaria Republic, known as the strongest in the eastern part of the central continent.

　Therefore, the temple asked the hero, Reiji, to cooperate.

　However, Since Reiji is currently recuperating, Shirone, Rino and Nao are moving instead.

　They're not as strong as Reiji, but they're pretty strong. Order of Temple Knights could not be done.

　"Yes, that was good."

　"Haha, by the way, how did you do it today?"　Mr. Chiyuki."

　Bowen asks Chiyuki.

　So Chiyuki decides to get down to business.

　"Right away, Lord Bowen. What do you think is in this package? "

　Chiyuki points to the package placed on the desk.

　Bowen then tilts his head.

　"I'm sorry. Mr. Chiyuki. I'm not a magician, so I can't guess inside without looking inside the package. May I look inside? "

　Bowen's words are also reasonable.

　Bowen, which can't use the magic of Clairvoyance, didn't know what was inside. They look through

　"I'm sorry, but I can't show you inside. The room stinks."

　"Eh?　So what is inside? "

　Bowen tilts his head.

　"It's a poison that is drained from Manticore's body. It is quite a deadly poison. Bowen must know. "

　According to Chiyuki, Manticore, which is supposed to live far west three years ago, has been infested near the country. I've heard that many people were sacrificed for the Manticore.　

　Bowen at the time was just as knight-of-chief, and should have been in the subjugation of Manticore.

　"Manticore's poison? Why did Chiyuki do this to me? "

　Bowen may well be wondering.

　Chiyuki continues to explain.

　"It was a coincidence that I got it. However, it seems that Manticore's poison has been around quite a bit in the last three years. Don't you know Lord Bowen? "

　"Are there a lot of poisons from the far west beast?"　It's strange, isn't it? "

　The poison in the package is a poison extracted from Manticore excrement.

　Because there is no strength to dissolve iron like the poison of the tail, it can be carried in a container.

　The problem is odor, but there is no problem because it can be prevented if it is sealed in many layers.

　The poison can be used for a variety of purposes, so it is traded at a high price.　

　However, originally the beast in the west. It's hard to get in this area.

　"That's right. It is not usually easy to get. However, if you live nearby, it's a different story. For example, Manticore, who attacked people three years ago, is alive."

　"What!"

　When Chiyuki says that, Bowen suddenly stands up. The surprise is not the ratio of the previous.

　"No way, Chiyuki. You think Manticore was alive at that time?　I should have given him a pretty deep hand. After that, I didn't show up, so I died."

　Bowen shakes his head as incredible.

　"Certainly there is no information on Manticore's infestation. But is There a lot of Manticore poisons?　Isn't this strange?"

　It is difficult to collect poison from the excrement of wild Manticore. The reason is that it rains when the time rises, and it is purified by the soil.

　You can't collect it unless you know or keep it.

　But Manticore is a dangerous beast. Moreover, for some reason, I like to eat people's meat. And, it is good at wisdom, and magic is used. You can't normally tame.

　"I mean, someone is hiding manticore at that time."

　"Yes, I think so."

　Chiyuki has the same idea as Bowen.

　Manticore has a reason for beast. If the interests are the same, we will cooperate with human stakes. But it's a canni-eating Manticore. The person who cooperates might be a fellow, too.

　"That's it..." But why did Chiyuki do this?"

　When Bowen says so Chiyuki sees Kyouka and Kaya.

　"It's a long story. Lord Bowen, you know that Kyouka here is doing business."

　Kyouka launched the Midou Chamber of Commerce in st. Helenia when Chiyuki and the others were away to subdue Dark Lord.

　In reality, Kaya's talent, but the trade association quickly grew and is now one of the richest in the country.

　On their way back to the Holy Lenaria Republic, a soldier belonging to the Midou Chamber, he met those who were being attacked by goblins.

　They were in the process of carrying the cargo and were almost wiped out. Of course the caravan escorts drove away the goblins to help. However, all of the people carrying the cargo were deeply wounded, and the last one died.

　The soldiers of the caravan were at a loss what to do with the remaining cargo. We transferred the cargo to our carriage and decided to bring it back to return it to the original owner.

　And those of the caravans who returned to the Republic of St. Renalia told the circumstances and gave the cargo to Kyouka and Kaya.

　Kyouka and Kaya contacted the merchant union to find the owner, but no one was found. I had to check the contents of the load and found Manticore's poison.

　That was five days ago. Chiyuki explains that to Bowen.

　"Thanks to you, the mansion smelled bad and it was hard!"

　Kyouka, who remembers that time, makes an angry voice.

　The poison discharged from Manticore's body smells. If you open the package, the smell fills the place.

　According to Chiyuki's point of view, it was quite difficult because he opened the package without knowing anything.

(It was hard for me,)

　When I opened the package, Neither Kyouka nor Kaya knew what it was.

　After all, it was Chiyuki who examined it.　　

　Chiyuki relied on the Sorcerers Association and found it to be Manticore's poison.

　In the process of investigating, I remember that I had a bad feeling because I had to smell Manticore's poison many times.

"I see ... but who were the ones who carried the cargo? If you don't know the merchants' unions, you're not a citizen ..."

"Yes, Lord Bowen, I think so, probably from the wallout town, and we are already conducting our own investigations."

"What !? Is that true?"

"Yes. Kaya here will explain that."

　Saying that, Chiyuki sees Kaya.

"I thought the cargo owner was not a citizen and expanded the scope of the investigation to the wallout town, and during the course of the investigation it was discovered that a series of disappearances occurred in the wallout town."

　Kaya says the results of the investigation.

　Nao, who would otherwise have a high sensing ability, would have been investigated, but she is now busy with Peluda measures.

　That's why Kaya and his subordinates investigated instead.　And many things turned out.

　"Disappearance case?　Such a thing?　I haven't heard anything."

　Chiyuki sighs Bowen's words.

　 The security inside the walls is handled by police and vigilantes, and the security outside the walls is guarded by knights.

　The wallout town is also outside the city walls, so a knight should be in charge of security.

　However, since there is usually no city outside the city walls, the knight is basically a monster and not a person.

　The job is to protect the roadsides from Monster and the farmers who work on the farmland outside the walls from Monster.

　Order And the Order of Temple Knights in the Holy Lenaria Republic also tend to deal with Monsters only, not people.

　This is a remnant from before the creation of wallout town.

　WenChiwen knows Bowen is a serious person. Do not neglect your duties. However, there are places where Monster's eyes have gone too far to look at conflicts between humans.

　Because of this, they do not notice the crime of humans living in wallout town.

　Even though some humans are as dangerous as Monster.

"Sir Bowen. The role of the Knights is to protect the people from the Monster, but I think we should also look at the situation in the wallout town."

　Chiyuki's words get Bowen's words.

"Mm ... but Chiyuki, I heard that maintaining the security of the wallout town is supported by the Warrior group chosen by the Free Warriors Association. What are they doing?"

　Chiyuki sees Kaya when he hears that Bowen's words.

"Bowen, the Warrior group is the problem. Investigation into the disappearance case revealed that one Warrior group was named Black fangs, the director was Gendol, and the Warrior group was It's the biggest force in the wallout town, and it's up to the security of the association. ''

"Gendol? I've heard it. It's a free-fighter man who took part in the defeat of Manticore three years ago."

　Bowen nods when Kaya names Gendol.

　 When the Knights alone cannot turn their hands, sometimes they hire free fighters.

　Chiyuki speculates that he hired a free fighter three years ago during the defeat of Manticore.

"Yes. Probably the Gendol. He's the one who doesn't hear good rumors, and seems to be too good for the Warrior group. How do they make money?" He looks like an eye-catcher against Gendol. ''

　Wen Bowen frowns on Kaya's words.

"No way, that Gendol hides Manticore ..."

"That's right. According to my research, Manticore is a big gluttony, and I like to eat human flesh. And a series of disappearances. I don't want to think beyond that ..."

　Chiyuki shakes his head and answers.

"Yes, I understand why Chiyuki called me. You want to investigate Gendol."

"Yes. Or allow us to investigate. The knights should be in charge of the security of the wallout town. I thought I should get the consent of Lord Bowen just in case. It is. "

"No, we move. It's my fault to miss Manticore. No way, the dangerous beast is lurking in this land, the goddess' sanctuary ..."

　Chiyuki nodded to Bowen's words.

　It is faster that Chiyuki and others move.

　However, Chiyuki thinks that things in this world should be solved by those in this world if possible. So Chiyuki wasn't willing to do anything more if Bowen was running.

"Sir Bowen. Manticore isn't as good as Peluda, but it's a ferocious beast. Watch out."

"I know. Mr. Chiyuki. I've fought in the past. And, even though it's a wallout town, it's a city.

"Are you a heavy infantry from the Holy Lenaria Republic, which is reliable?"

　All citizens of this country worship the war goddess. Because of that, he has been educated as a warrior since childhood.

　The heavy infantry unit consisting of its citizens is strong and is the key to the country's defense alongside the temple knights.

　And the Commander of the Order of Temple Knights can also dispatch Heavy Infantry units if needed.

"Please wait!"

　Kyouka suddenly speaks.

"What happened, Kyouka?"

"I'll go. I'll give you the reward that smells the room."

　YukiHearing those words, Chiyuki holds his head down.

　Kyouka cannot use magic well. It should only be in your hands.

"Chiyuki-sama. If the lady can move, let me go, and I'll bring a Shokai escort."

　Kaya says so and comes out. Chiyuki feels relieved to hear that.

　And Kaya could easily beat Manticore.

　If fighting with bare hands, she is second only to Reiji.

"Yes, Kaya is safe, too. Then Kyouka, be careful."

"Yes, leave it to me."

　Kyouka laughs.

　Looking at that, Chiyuki was a little anxious.